Business
AIA Insurance globally recognised as the Best Life Insurance Company in Sri Lanka, yet again
What makes a company the best? Is it it’s strength, stability and reputation? Is it the force of an exceptional team that drives it? Perhaps its unrivalled innovation and agility? Or more so, the fact that it goes above and beyond in what it offers its stakeholders. Maybe its world-class standards and exposure with in-depth local understanding? And certainly, its commitment to the community and society that surpasses just business objectives. Indeed, it is all of these and that’s how and why AIA Insurance has been recognised as the Best Life Insurance Company in Sri Lanka, for the fourth year.
Awarded by internationally acclaimed Capital Finance International for 2022, this is testimony to the significant contribution made by AIA to Sri Lanka’s life insurance industry in terms of its innovative and inclusive products and propositions, superlative customer experience, community investment initiatives and workforce empowerment.
Last year was no doubt a trying year for Sri Lanka with an unprecedented social and economic backdrop. Despite it being an economically challenging time for all businesses, AIA was determined to be there for Sri Lanka and her people when it was most needed. As such the company’s focus on societal endeavours took precedence. Be it renovating underprivileged schools and hospitals around the island or providing support to underprivileged and vulnerable children and elders, AIA’s priority was giving back to the community.
The company managed many societal endeavours during the last year, including projects with HelpAge Sri Lanka, SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Cancer Society, Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation, Department of Probation and Childcare Services, not to forget AIA’s flagship CSR projects, the National Poson Safety Programme and Higher Education Scholarships, which are two of the longest standing projects in the country.
The company remained committed to enhancing the customer experience, while increasing efficiency and convenience through new and improved digitalized processes. As a company pioneering digital transformation in the industry, AIA has launched many industry firsts including a modern human centric point of sales (POS) solution, cloud-based workflow automation, robotic process automation, cloud-based strategy, remote digital signatures for customer onboarding and advanced analytics for intelligent decision making. AIA’s efforts towards going paperless has further established its green commitment while also ensuring faster, better connectivity with customers.
Boasting the highest calibre of agents, AIA’s sales force is part of the world’s #1 MDRT life insurer, that being AIA Group. With this strength, AIA’s team of sales professionals have world-class training, exposure and insights that help them deliver a superlative service to customers.
While providing protection to customers at every stage of their lives, AIA offers a wide range of retirement, health, protection and savings solutions for all Sri Lankans. The product suite is designed and enriched by not only an in-depth understanding of the needs of the local customer, but also an expertise acquired in over a hundred years of experience in Asia. The health space is yet another important area for AIA and the company is very active through not only products, but overall propositions, and stands as a firm pioneer in this space. As AIA embraces the brand promise of helping people live healthier, longer, better lives, its mission is to proactively enable and support its customers to be physically and mentally secure as well. Having partnered some of Sri Lanka’s most reputed wellness partners including Doc990, My Dentist, Vida Medical Clinic and Teardrop hotels, AIA is the only insurer in Sri Lanka to offer customers an eco-system of wellness propositions to help them stay active, healthy and happy.
Helping to stay healthy and happy is further extended to its employees as well, and the company earned the LEGEND title for been recognised as a Best Workplace in Sri Lanka for the tenth consecutive year. In 2022, the company was also adjudged one of the Best Workplaces for Women in Sri Lanka for the fifth straight year, by Great Place to Work® and as one of the Most Outstanding Women Friendly Workplaces by Satynmag.com and CIMA Sri Lanka. To top it all, AIA was also recognised as one of the top 10 Best Workplaces in the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) industry in Sri Lanka last year.
Throughout it all, the company maintained its financial stability, despite the economic challenges and remained strongly capitalised with a shareholder’s equity of LKR 18.4 billion by end 2022, and one of the highest Capital Adequacy Ratios in the industry which amounted to 402% by end 2022. This demonstrated the ability of AIA to withstand risk and crisis in the operating environment and deliver their promise to customers consistently. This is supported by the company’s prudent investment strategy which focuses on high quality investments. AIA has always exceeded customer expectations and has a track record of over 30 years of delivering above the promised customer dividends.
All these combined has established AIA as a truly world-class company with deep and rooted local insights that help it go above and beyond life insurance, to be a partner, a friend, a family to its customers- and that is what makes AIA the best life insurance company in Sri Lanka.
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Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”